Mr. McDermott received an excellent preparatory education, attending first the common schools and subsequently Freehold Institute. He was obliged, however, to abandon the cherished hope of a college course, and, turning his attention to the law, entered the office of Acton C. Hartshorne and Chilion Robbins, both skillful, studious, and eminent advocates. Mr. McDermott pursued his legal studies under their instruction, and in November, 1875, shortly after attaining his majority, was admitted to the bar. He began the active practice of his profession at Freehold, Monmouth County, N. J., and there his abilities as an advocate, his broad and accurate knowledge of the law, and his devotion to the interests of his clients soon won for him a leading place among the prominent lawyers of that section. The law and equity reports of the State contained many important cases argued by him, and not a few of them determined difficult legal principles. His practice at the Freehold bar soon outgrew the limits of his native county, and, desiring a more central point and a wider field for the exercise of his energies, he removed his office, in the fall of 1894, to Jersey City. There, as in his native county, he has built up a most excellent reputation. He is a member of the Lawyers' Club of New York, a public spirited and enterprising citizen, and a man of unswerving integrity and great strength of character.